Western New Hampshire Trail Running Series Schedule Set

Hanover — The Western New Hampshire Trail Running Series has set its schedule for the 2013 season, beginning with the non-points Dirty 5K at Storrs Pond Recreation Area on May 12.

The WNHTRS follows with an eight-race slate, with all events running between five and 14 kilometers in length. The series is open to first-time trail runners as well as the experienced athlete. The schedule:

∎ June 8: West Windsor 5 & Dime, Windsor.

∎ June 15: Six in the Stix, Newport.

∎ June 29: All Out Trail Run, Claremont.

∎ July 6: Wicked Wildcat Wander, Langdon, N.H.

∎ July 20: Frenzy in the Forest, Sunapee.

∎ Aug. 10: Stoaked Trail Run, Hanover.

∎ Sept. 7: Farnum Five.5, Lebanon.

∎ Sept. 21: Lost a Lot Trail Race, Lebanon.

Advance full-series registration is $100; ages 15-19 can sign up for the full series at $50, and juniors (ages 12-14) are free. Runners may also register on a per-race basis for $20 per event in advance and $25 the day of the race. For more information on the series, visit www.wnhtrs.com or contact series coordinator Chad Denning at 603-558-2342 or cdenning@teamamp.org.

Beginner 5K Class

White River Junction — The Hartford Parks and Recreation wants to send another group of first-time runners on their way by offering a beginner’s 5K running program later this summer.

The class is for ages 15 and older, geared to get anyone ready for the third Hartford 5K on Aug. 3. The class will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning June 4, spending the summer building endurance for the race.

Classes meet from 6-7:30 p.m. at Hartford High School. The registration deadline is May 28, and the cost is $25 for Hartford residents and $35 for nonresidents. Call Hartford Rec at 802-295-5036 for more.

On the Pitch

Lightning U15s Sweep

Meriden — Getting goals on either side of halftime, the Lightning Soccer Club U15 boys posted a 2-0 win over the NHPSA Classics at Pope Field over the weekend in their opening game of the spring campaign.

Tim Alibozek put LSC on the board in the waning seconds of the first half, converting a pass from Yedne Atkins moments after having a Dylan DeTurk-fed score denied by an offsides call. The Classics turned up the tempo and the physical play in the second half, drawing a yellow card in the process, but the Lightning clinched the match in the final five minutes as Alibozek drove along the goal line before feeding Jacob Armstrong’s open-net conversion.

Benjamin Chaimberg, Ian Caldwell and Gus Cooke marshalled the back line for Lightning goalkeepers Nick Bertrand and Brendan Amos. The platoon of Reilly Decker, Casey Starr and James Heatherton rotated at right back to help record the shutout.

A student of karate for more than four years, Brow advanced from the level of junior first degree. According to instructor Brent Baker, standards set by the Japanese Ministry of Education do not permit students to achieve a black belt until the age of 16. Availability of a program to advance through the curriculum while still a junior made Brow’s promotion possible.

Brow also holds the title of apprentice instructor and is a year away from reaching the teaching grade of assistant instructor. Brow also studies traditional Okiniawan weapons at Rising Sun.

On Two Wheels

Ride of Silence May 15

Grantham — The Ride of Silence, an effort to raise awareness for bicycle safety on area roads, will take place in Grantham on May 15.

The ride, part of a national effort begun 10 years ago, will begin and end at the Grantham park-and-ride lot, starting at 7 p.m. The ride will cover 8.5 flat miles to the Croydon Fire Station and back to the Grantham lot. The ride will be done at a slow pace meant to resemble a funeral procession; this year’s Upper Valley ride will be done in memory of Tristin Roy and Bob Saturley and in recogntion of Jill Davis and Michael Feeney, riders who have been injured while on area roads.

There is no talking during the ride — which will be escorted by members of the Grantham and Croydon police departments — and helmets are mandatory. A rain-out date of May 18 at 10 a.m. is scheduled should weather intervene on May 15.

On One Wheel

Unicycle Lessons

West Lebanon — David Kano will present a five-week series of lessons in learning to ride a unicycle beginning April 20 in the Seminary Hill School parking lot.

Lessons will be held on consecutive Saturdays from 10 a.m.-noon and are open to anyone age 12 and older. Kano will employ “unitrainer” technology to get participants up and riding. Registrants are welcome to bring their own unicycles, although they are not required to participate.

Classes are $5 for the five-week cycle or $2 on a drop-in basis. Call Lebanon Recreation and Parks at 603-448-5121 to register or get more information.

On the Diamond

Saints Seek Players

Woodstock — The Killington-based Summit Saints baseball team, a member of the Vermont Men’s Senior Baseball League, is seeking players for the coming season.

The wood-bat league is open to participants ages 40 and older, although rosters are permitted to include up to four players between the ages of 35-39. A 14-year member of the league, the Saints will play their home games at Woodstock Union High School. The 17-week season begins April 28, all games are played on Sundays (no games on Mother’s Day) and contests start at noon. The league includes teams as far away as Burlington, so players can expect some travel over half of the season.

For more information on the team and league, including costs and schedules, contact Ray Foley at 802-422-3838 or ray@myrec.com.

In the Outdoors

Wednesday Walkers Resumes

White River Junction — The arrival of spring means the resumption of Hartford Parks and Recreation’s Wednesday Walkers hiking series.

The series is open to everyone. All walks begin with a 9 a.m. meeting at the Hartford Municipal Building for transportation to that day’s trailhead. The spring schedule:

∎April 24: Gile Mountain, Norwich.

∎May 8: Hurricane Forest Wildlife Refuge, Hartford.

∎May 22: Quechee Gorge, Quechee.

∎June 5: Clay Brook Trail, Lyme.

All hikes are free. Participants are asked to wear boots and appropriate clothing and bring a light snack and water for the trip. Call Hartford Parks and Rec at 802-295-5036 for more information or to confirm a scheduled outing.

Lebanon Hiking Series

Lebanon — The Lebanon Recreation and Parks Department will hold a series of hikes through the month of May.

Krissy Flythe will lead the outings. Participants are reminded to bring snacks, a backpack (if needed), water and hiking boots. The schedule:

All hikes are free of charge. Contact Lebanon Rec at 603-448-5121 for meet-up information or other details.

With a Disc

Ultimate Frisbee Returns

White River Junction — Hartford Parks and Recreation, teaming with local pickup group UFX, will sponsor another season of twice-a-week pickup ultimate Frisbee play at Watson Park.

Mary Bouchard will oversee play, which will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. until dark starting May 6 and running through Aug. 28. All ages and abilities are welcome; casual instruction is provided, and participants are recommended to wear cleats or running shoes with good traction.

There is a $2 drop-in fee per week. The club will also hold its fifth Cinco de Mayo Sombrero Ultimate Tournament on May 4 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Club details can be found by visiting www.ufxultimate.org.

TVYHA will sponsor teams at the Squirt, Peewee and Bantam levels. A cross-ice Mites program is planned, as are learn-to-skate and learn-to-play programs. Twin Valley is also hoping to being an in-house program for U10 girls.

For more information on costs and schedules, contact registrar Stephanie Schell at 603-469-3527 or tschell@aol.com.

Hanover Registration Under Way

Hanover — Registration for next winter’s Hanover Hockey Association programs are under way through the month of April.

Players from age 6 to 16 are welcome to join HHA’s programs, which will include in-house squads as well as travel teams through at least four divisions of play (Mite, Squirt, Peewee, Bantam). Registration continues through April 30.